Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Food

How to store food safely and correctly

From use-by dates to fridge organisation. - by Laura Barry
  • 13 Sep 2019
How to store food safely and correctly

Food prep is now more popular than ever. Whether you’re a health nut or just someone trying to save a few extra dollars by not buying lunch every day, food prep means you have hot meals and salads ready to go at a moment’s notice. But are you storing those foods correctly?

We spent some time researching food storage and have put together an easy guide to getting it right, from use-by dates to how long you should allow food to cool.

When to toss food

According to The Better Health Channel Victoria, toss food after 3 or 4 days for previously cooked meals.

High-risk foods

According to the Department of Health Australia Foods such as raw and cooked meat and foods containing them, dairy products, anything with egg in it, seafood, cooked rice and pasta and prepared salads should be kept at 5°C or lower to avoid the growth of bacteria.

Low-risk foods

Low-risk foods are unlikely to experience bacteria growth, and include uncooked rice and pasta, breads and biscuits, packaged snack foods, lollies and chocolate. Canned food is safe so long as the can remains sealed.

organised fridge
Getty

Freezing food

Never refreeze thawed food, food should always be frozen solid and your freezer set to -15 °C.

Re-heating food

Hot food that is left on a table to cool, should be reheated and eaten within two hours if it is not going to be packed away and stored in the fridge.

Storing food in the fridge

Cool hot food as quickly as possible and store in the fridge as soon as steam stops rising from it.

How to organise your fridge

Raw food should always be stored separately from cooked food, and raw food should always be placed on lower shelves that cooked food.

Use-by Dates

According to Food Standards Australia, food should not be eaten after the use-by date, and can’t be legally sold after the use-by date.

Best before dates

Food Standards Australia reports that you can still eat most foods for a little while after the best before date, but they may have lost some quality.

You might also like:

How long can foods be kept in the freezer

3 ways to use leftover rice, and how to store it correctly 

3 brilliant fridge storage hacks 

Looking for some food prep ideaS? Watch the video below!

  • Food
  • Health
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How long does caffeine last in your system?

How long does caffeine last in your system?

How to lose weight with just 5 healthy food swaps

How to lose weight with just 5 healthy food swaps

Study finds chocolate milk is actually good for you

Study finds chocolate milk is actually good for you

The worst diet of 2020 has been identified

The worst diet of 2020 has been identified

{headline}

{headline}

The best diets of 2020 have been named

The best diets of 2020 have been named

Urgent food recall: Coles, Woolworths, IGA Sriracha Chilli sauce

Urgent food recall: Coles, Woolworths, IGA Sriracha Chilli sauce

New Australian alcohol guidelines released before New Years Eve

New Australian alcohol guidelines released before New Years Eve

{headline}

{headline}

The cocktail that has more calories than a cheeseburger

The cocktail that has more calories than a cheeseburger

How to maintain a healthy diet this Christmas

How to maintain a healthy diet this Christmas

 Choc chip cookies not only delicious, but addictive, says study

Choc chip cookies not only delicious, but addictive, says study

Facts, Statistics & Solutions about food waste in Australia

Facts, Statistics & Solutions about food waste in Australia

Can honey help with allergies?

Can honey help with allergies?

Rule the picnic with the best potatoes for potato salad

Rule the picnic with the best potatoes for potato salad

The best ways to keep your cooked sausages safe to eat

The best ways to keep your cooked sausages safe to eat

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription